Fern Britton has said she fully expects her depression to come back at some point, but is ready to deal with it.

The former This Morning presenter, who has just published her fifth novel, has battled periods of depression in the past and said that she is now well aware of the warning signs.

She revealed: “I’m not on medication at the moment. I’m doing very well, and maybe upping the exercise has helped.

“I’m fully expecting to have another episode. It takes a while to recognise it, but now that I’m experienced in it, I start to recognise the signs, usually when it’s a bit too late.

Fern Britton
Fern Britton (Joel Ryan/Invision)

“It’s like in the distance you can see a hole in the road, and you know you’re going to fall in it. The choice is fall in, walk round or jump over. In general, it’s very hard not to fall in, so you go to the doctor and you get some help. The medication is so good.”

She added: “Feeling invisible and not looking forward to anything are two big signs. Those are mine. The family is very understanding because I can articulate it to them.”

Fern, 57, said that despite her TV work having scaled back since her This Morning days, she was happy with it: “I had a wonderful time doing it and you have to sometimes say you’re very satisfied with what you’ve had and what you’ve done. I’m lucky to have done it.

Fern Britton
Fern Britton (Anthony Devlin/PA)

“I love television. I still always want a foot in the door. However, I’m sensible enough to know that it will stop at some stage.”

She continued of getting older: “Instead of walking into age backwards, when you don’t want to look because you’ll see how you used to be, turn around and look into the distance of where you’re going, and there’s so much there to look forward to.

“I’m not ready for the scrapheap!”

A Good Catch by Fern Britton is published by HarperCollins on April 23, priced £12.99.